CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, Aug.01.2018 – NEVIS Premier, Mark Brantley has yet again come out to condemn another homicide on the island, this time following the gunning down of young businessman Evanson Smith-Bartlette aka “Fast Mouth” of Stuart Williams Drive.
The young man was shot on Sunday, 29 July, as he was about to pull out from his driveway.
Police in a statement said that from their preliminary investigations, officers said that at about 9:20 p.m., Smith-Bartlette was about to drive out of his gate when he was attacked and shot by a lone gunman. The perpetrator subsequently fled the scene after the crime in a silver or while motor car police revealed.
Brantley, who has been ardently speaking out against the gun violence that has been occurring on the streets of St. Kitts and Nevis, has been calling on parents to take control of their children.
In a statement on the latest incident, the Premier said his “Government condemns unreservedly this and all other barbaric acts of violence”
He said that their collective hearts go out to the grieving family of Smith, and all families who are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones.
“We shall hold them in our prayers even as we renew our commitment to eradicating the criminal elements in our society.,” he noted, pointing out that while the police move swiftly to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice, his government remains mindful that the police cannot win the fight against crime and violence on their own.
“It will require the combined efforts of all Nevisians and those who call Nevis home to rid our island of this terrible scourge. The government and the community must be resolute and committed in our fight to restore respect for life and to bring an end to all acts of violence. The government again appeals to members of the public to assist the police by sharing with them whatever information they have that can assist in ensuring that these deviant criminals are brought swiftly to justice,” added the Premier.
It was just recently at his monthly press conference, the Premier announced several new initiatives that will spur the residents and the business community to enhance security for their person and premises. And according to the Premier, in light of the tragic death, “the Nevis Island Administration is taking the further step and hereby announces with immediate effect a revolving fund to provide rewards of EC$25,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this, and for any other homicide that has been committed on the island of Nevis”.
So far for 2018, the federation has recorded 17 homicides, five on Nevis and twelve on St. Kitts.
